300 h&h, 30-06, 338-06

flying pig

flying pig

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I'm looking for helpful opinions on a caliber for a future purchase. I have my heart set on a Cooper or other higher end hunting rifle as a treat for myself when I complete tradeschool. As a result of having to go back to school with a young family I've had to sell off about half of my gun collection and am currently hunting with a Parker-Hale 303. I'm basically dreaming out loud right now but am beginning to do some research into it as it will be a one time purchase that will likely end up being a family heirloom.
1I am beginning to think about the options I like and don't like and have a good idea there, but I am torn on caliber. I reload exclusively. I have been interested in wildcatting a little and am slowly breaking into it. I plan on loading for 280 Ross soon as well as a few others. I've been loading for old Ross rifles that have tight .308 groove barrels for a few years now using 220gr 308 bullets as well.

Calibers I am thinking about are 338-06 (thnking a bigger, slower, 30-06 would be ok). 30-06 (kind of a family tradition to hunt with 303 Brit or 30-06 as my Dad has hunted with a 30-06 for 30 years and Grandpa a 303 for 50 before him) or a 300H&H.

Basically I hunt deer, elk, and (when I get lucky in the draw) moose. I hunt in a variety of ways, horseback, stalking and from a blind. I'm tough and carrying a heavy load over long distances on foot doesn't bother me much. My Parker-Hale seems light to me, but a No4T or Garand are getting up there for a long walk.

I don't know a lot about the 338-06, but I've been researching the 300H&H a lot in the last couple weeks. I'm really liking this caliber, on paper. I don't have one. I've never shot one, and I don't know anyone who has one. I like what I read about its versatility. It has a lot of advantages I like. Most things I've read on it state that a 1:10 twist barrel works well with many bullet types. I want to be able to load light for smaller game like deer and heavy bullets for larger game. I also want something with manageable recoil. I'm a 245lb baby when it comes to felt recoil. I don't like lightweight rifles in 300 win mag for example. Felt recoil is getting onto my comfort edge with them. My concerns with this caliber are recoil, ruined meat when shorter shots make themselves available, and shorter barrel life. How many rounds should a barrel be expected to live with this cartridge? I like that this cartridge has a fine reputation for reliable feeding, reportedly lighter recoil than other 30 mags and a classic heritage. I love old guns, and the new rifle will definitely be in fine walnut and a classic caliber. I don't care much for latest and greatest. The longer 26" barrel is what I would go with.

30-06, I've watched a LOT of game fall to this caliber. My Dad is one hell of a hunter. I don't want to guess at how many animals his 30-06 have brought home. He has had only one rifle for over 30 years and he uses it for everything. In recent years he has told me that he feels its longer range performance is leaving him a little to be desired and he has purchased a BAR in 7mmRemMag. It likes the heavier 175s and he likes what it does. This longer range performance has me leaning towards the H&H. The 338-06 obviously would lack a little worse but be better in heavier woods?

To sum it up, I want a versatile rifle that will do whatever I ask of it. I want something of high quality and in a classic, proven caliber, with good performance in a wide variety of shot ranges. I don't want huge amounts of wasted meat and every last foot per second of velocity doesnt matter. Repeatability is key. What have you found for pros and cons, and if you feel there are better choices of caliber out there what are they and what are your reasons? On that note leave factory ammo out of the equation and even case availability. Once I have brass it will last halfway to forever.

Thanks in advance!
 
Out of the bunch I would go with the 338-06, its a really good choice for a all around big game rifle. Bullets are available from 180-275gr. The 30-06 is a good cartridge, but in a high end rifle, I would go with a less common caliber.

other recommendations would be a 9.3x62 or a 35 whelen.
 
The .300 H&H was used as a long range target round at one time so you know the accuracy potential is there. Also makes a fine medium and big game round. Can be loaded down if you want. A huge variety of bullets are available, 110 grain up to 250 grains. A classic old cartridge that I also would like to own.

Having said that, there is nothing wrong with the 30/06.
 
I've had and used my 300 H&H since the 1970s, 30-06s before then and a 338-06 since the early 1990s.
All have served me very well and are good rounds.
The most accurate for me is the 300 and my main use for it these days is to test .308 cal bullets for my F-class rifle, if they group well in it they will shoot well in my match rifle.
With respect to the terrain where you live I would very seriously consider a 9.3X62 as a previous poster mentioned, the one I am currently playing with is very accurate and with a 285 gr. handload is a very hard hitter.
Weight of bullets available for the 9.3 vary from 232 gr. to 320 gr. with several in between and its a very nice round to reload with excellent case life..
 
My vote is for the 338-06. I picked up one a couple years ago whhen I was sucessful in a Bison Draw. Worked like a dream. Recoil is not bad in a good fitting rifle. I would reccomend using 210 grain partitions with a max charge of 4350. I put on a zeiss conquest scope with the rapid z 600 reticle and once you find what power it has to be set on just hold over as needed with the reticle. If I did it over again I would only have a 338-06 with the zeiss scope and a 25-06 or something similar... I have so many different options now I have too many options and don't get out with any of them enough...
 
it will be a one time purchase that will likely end up being a family heirloom.
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.338/06.
Standard action length, boltface. 4 or 5 down. Light.
Will do anything. Woodchuck to Wapiti. Groundsquirrel to Grizzly. Sheep to Simba.
And, most importantly, force your progeny to become handloaders ... the mark of a true gunnut. .. ;)
 
My vote is for the 338-06. I picked up one a couple years ago whhen I was sucessful in a Bison Draw. Worked like a dream. Recoil is not bad in a good fitting rifle. I would reccomend using 210 grain partitions with a max charge of 4350. I put on a zeiss conquest scope with the rapid z 600 reticle and once you find what power it has to be set on just hold over as needed with the reticle. If I did it over again I would only have a 338-06 with the zeiss scope and a 25-06 or something similar... I have so many different options now I have too many options and don't get out with any of them enough...
 
Biggest reason why the 338/06 is third in my mind right now is what I can hunt. Currently I'm allowed 3 white tail deer (buck and two doe), and one elk (depending on whether I'm drawn for a cow or not its either a cow or bull each year) and one bull moose every 8 years (I think thats how long it takes to get priority in my area). I may decide to hunt black bear in the future as well and am really wanting to hunt wolves as well. I really want versatility as I want to have total confidence in my hunting rifle.

How much does the 338 give up in lost long range potential due to shooting less flat? If I had a tactical scope on it it would be less of an issue but thats not what I want in a hunting scope. I don't like guessing a huge hold over.

Thoughts?
 
I too bought myself a rifle when I finished trade school, Marlin 336ss 30-30. Seemed fitting since it was my first rifle and I turned 30 that year. I wanted something in a traditional calibre that I would hand down.

Of your calibres listed I would go with the 30-06, It's a classic and very versatile. 35 Whelen would be my pick though.
 
The .30-06 is still the "can't be wrong" choice. This is especially so if you are recoil sensitive. You can load the 130gr TSX to .270 Win levels and step it up to 2650 fps with a 200gr Partition, if need be. Not to mention the choices in between.

The .300 H&H is cool, but Nosler brass seems to be the most available at $90/25. I guess you could reform .375 H&H brass too.

Yup, the .30-06 may not be shiny, new and "cool", but it gets the job done. Check out German Szalazar's "Rifleman's Journal" - here is a primer:
http://riflemansjournal.########.ca/2011/02/cartridges-30-06-update.html
 
Of your choices, I'd go 30-06. While I don't disagree with any responses about the 338-06, I feel like it doesn't properly meet your criteria with respect to you wanting a 'classic' cartridge. The 338-06 is far from a classic...at least at this stage of it's life. I feel that based on your criteria around recoil, you might be wise to rule out the H&H, though it certainly meets the definition of a classic in spades.

You made me chuckle when on one hand you defined yourself as tough, then barely a paragraph later you basically call yourself a big recoil baby. :)

Also, while the Cooper is a fine choice for what you are seeking, it- like the 338-06- is not exactly the definition of a classic or heirloom rifle. I'd consider a custom build, perhaps on a nice old pre-64 vintage Model 70 or ?
 
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That's the thing with heirlooms in this family, all the rifles passed down have been new when the original hunter had them. By classic I mean wood stock with blued parts, built like fine rifles have been until the last half of this century. I'm tough so far as work ethic, packing ability, endurance, ability to withstand heat/cold etc go. I just don't like recoil. If I can't see my shots follow through I don't like shooting the rifle and heavier recoiling rifles seem to take longer to settle after let off for me than the lighter recoiling calibers do.

I think I'm going to see if I can find anyone locally who has a comparable weight rifle in the 338 and 300 and see what they shoot like. Would be a shame to drop the extra grand on the mag if I hate shooting it.
 
The 30.06 would be the best choice of the three for a lot of practical reasons.

The 300H&H would be the coolest of the bunch and offer the same performance as a 30.06 with a bit extra velocity tossed in. Rifle would be heavier, recoil increased, brass & ammo more expensive and much harder to find.

The 338.06 would be cooler than the 30.06 but a lot less cool than the H&H. Pretty much a handloader only choice. Brass is easy if you use 30.06. Offers a good selection of heavier bullets. Very versatile, but then so are the other two choices.
 
300H&H HANDS DOWN! I had one in a Rem700 Classic and like a fool I sold it. Recoil is marginally more than a 30-06, but it did not bother me at all and I am only 5'9" 185lbs and I hate recoil too, probably more of a recoil baby than you. If you are a hand loader than this is the PERFECT cartridge for you, load it to what ever performance level you want, lighter 150-165 grain bullets for flat shooting deer, heavier 180-200 grain for all round use, or the heaviest 220-250 grain for the really big nasty beasts. And if you are concerned about recoil still have your rifle built with a muzzle brake, a properly made muzzle brake will reduce recoil and muzzle lift, and can be made to keep the noise level increases to a minimum.

And don't let anyone tell you the Cooper is not a classic rifle, I have been visiting their booth at SHOT show for the past 4 years, every year they impress the hell out of me and they get nicer and nicer every year, they have clean lines, excellent fit and finish, and will build anything you want.
 
flying pig said:
That's the thing with heirlooms in this family, all the rifles passed down have been new when the original hunter had them. By classic I mean wood stock with blued parts, built like fine rifles have been until the last half of this century. I'm tough so far as work ethic, packing ability, endurance, ability to withstand heat/cold etc go. I just don't like recoil. If I can't see my shots follow through I don't like shooting the rifle and heavier recoiling rifles seem to take longer to settle after let off for me than the lighter recoiling calibers do.

I think I'm going to see if I can find anyone locally who has a comparable weight rifle in the 338 and 300 and see what they shoot like. Would be a shame to drop the extra grand on the mag if I hate shooting it.
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Stay with your thoughts, they are correct..........for you.
No sense starting to flinch.
One shoots best when they like what they are shooting.
Keeping your eyes open after you pull the trigger to watch bullet impact is
very important when hunting.
It's a thing one needs to learn and sqwinting for fear of recoil doesn't add up
to good shot placement.
 
Personally i like to be different so I'd 300 HH or 35 Whelen myself. Of your 3 the 30/06 is most likely the better option but don't let anyone tell you the 338/06 isn't good for longer shots. With appropriate bullets it can be a hammer at 300+ yards. With equal weight bullets in a 26" tube its faster then the parent
 
flying pig said:
That's the thing with heirlooms in this family, all the rifles passed down have been new when the original hunter had them. By classic I mean wood stock with blued parts, built like fine rifles have been until the last half of this century. I'm tough so far as work ethic, packing ability, endurance, ability to withstand heat/cold etc go. I just don't like recoil. If I can't see my shots follow through I don't like shooting the rifle and heavier recoiling rifles seem to take longer to settle after let off for me than the lighter recoiling calibers do.

I think I'm going to see if I can find anyone locally who has a comparable weight rifle in the 338 and 300 and see what they shoot like. Would be a shame to drop the extra grand on the mag if I hate shooting it.
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I'm on my phone right now and can't see where you are from. If your near Drayton Valley, AB anytime you can try out my lightweight 338-06. It kicks less than my 270. I also have a wood stocked 30-06 you can compare it with if you like...
 
BigBraz15 said:
I'm on my phone right now and can't see where you are from. If your near Drayton Valley, AB anytime you can try out my lightweight 338-06. It kicks less than my 270. I also have a wood stocked 30-06 you can compare it with if you like...
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Felt recoil will vary with weight of the rifle plus the style/design of the stock. If the rifles are identical the .338-06 will provide quite a bit more felt recoil than the .270 Win. - it is important to compare apples to apples.

By way of example comparing a 210gr Partition at 2700 to a 130gr @ 3100 in the .338/06 vs .270 Win respectively in an identical 8lb rifle, the .338/06 has 47% more recoil.
 
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